Here’s the latest event info from Cindy, a pal of mine with a heart like a warrior! Please come out and support this wonderful cause and visit her site to learn more, this month is not only Breast Cancer Awareness month but Domestic Violence month! Please do what you can to help!

for the life of your community will be held this Saturday, rain or shine at Northside High School from 0900 am till 1100am.. volunteers show up at 0800am.
On behalf of Avon’s Connie Coley and Mary Kay Consultant, Celeste Prusaitis we invite you to attend and show your support!

I feel it is important to still hold this event regardless of weather conditions which caused us to cancel our last 2 events.

Whether you or your loved one is battling breast cancer or any cancer for that matter come out and show you care.

One of the main reasons I won’t cancel the event is Cancer and Domestic Violence doesn’t care about weather conditions, it attacks people’s bodies on any given day, the least we can do is show up to support those who are battling this awful disease and for those who are in situations, like DV that harm women, children and animals..and of course men too at times…

I have a mantra now when I am in situations that I find uncomfortable and it seems to help me get through what I am at that time…

If I have a bad trip at work or things don’t seem to go right in my day, all I do is think about how bad those who died on 09-11-01 had it, all those who are going through chemo have it, all those innocent children who have no way to protect themselves physically against their abusers… and somehow I manage to quit whining about how bad my life or physical well-being is and remember I was given the opportunity to speak up for those who have NO VOICE!…..
That’s the least I can do.

I know you have been watching the news, with undoubtedly growing concern over not only the real estate market but also the banking industry as a whole.

The last few years, I saw the lending mess we are in now happening in slow motion. . .knowing that two pals of mine both with graduate degrees and high level white collar jobs had to obtain an interest only loan in the Northern Virginia area just to get into a small three bedroom two bath home in a safe neighborhood. . .something was seriously wrong, a hugely false real estate economy where the true supply and demand rates were hidden by the public’s ability to qualify for significantly more loan in a short term investment. . .but a few years down the road when that balloon payment is due and that promotion didn’t come, where does that land us? In markets other than ours, you can see the aftermath.

I know I have stood on my little blog soapbox before extolling the beauty of our simple market here in Eastern North Carolina. I refuse to say that our market is a “sure thing”, those days are essentially gone, there are too many variables and I would be more than happy to do the market research for you on a case by case basis given your specific circumstances. . .there ARE ways to invest but, generally, think more buy and hold rather than flip and run.

Here in Eastern NC our major employer is the US Government. . .who garuntees employees a 3% or more pay raise a year. . .not to mention deployments of family separation pay, tax free zones, imminent danger pay and more. . .and don’t even start me on the support staff and contractors who aren’t counted as “military” in our area. . .we never had a “sexy” market here, no bubble, no 200% PLUS profits here. . .but like a mutual fun or bond. . .slowly and safely we have been plugging along.

Between January and this October, the average number of days a single family home sits on the market, 45 (not too shabby) and the percent sold was 58% with an average list price of 171,676 and average sales price of 167,853 with a price/list price ratio of 97.77%. In short, slower surely than in the last few years, however, still stable and a smart investment. I’ll have more in the days to come but wanted to share the information snack with you.

Have a great Sunday, I am off to pretend to watch football, which, generally, I see the season as an excuse to not drink light beer and eat wings. . .I get told every Sunday who I am supposed to be rooting for because I generally spend my weekends working or writing things like this and not watching highlight reels or Madden talk about his turduckin.

I couldn’t resist writing something else on the topic, it is the MOST popular way to find my website! I have more hits per day on this topic than any other!!!!

I grew up a Marine Brat and then as an adult went to my fair share of Marine Corps Balls . . .the short list of advice?

Here in Coastal NC, chances are good you have to travel a bit to reach your event, often hosted in New Bern or Wilmington as there are few locations in the Jacksonville area that can host a large batallion or squadron so keep that in mind and that may mean parking at a parkikng deck and having to walk a bit. . .bring spare shoes just in case. . .or, rather than a convention center you may enjoy your evening at an empty hangar or field house (in those instances, no white/light dresses if you hope to wear your gown more than once!).

Your date/escort for the evening will be in uniform, which varies from service to service and rank. . .but all in all, black, navy blue, white and red are included in their evening dress and make any dress you wear in those colors look smashing. . .gold and silver also look great since the gents have all their medals on.

Dinner and dancing are usually included but always, at a USMC ball is the cake cutting ceremony where the youngest and oldest Marines in the room participate. . .the evening usually includes a distinguished guest speaker and several toasts.

I could go on about the schedule of events and attire but, think of it as a grown-up prom and you’re pretty close! Take lots of photos, be respectful of everyone there, dance at least once and have fun!

**Check out all the great comments and a few links below! Ball season is ramping up! If you have a great story of some helpful advice, please share! And, as always, if you have ANY kind of real estate need (regardless of what state or country you are in), shoot me a note to McKenzieSellsHomes@gmail.com and I can answer your questions or connect you with a talented agent with a great track record no matter where you are! (910)554-0761 is my direct cell for folks with North Carolina Real Estate needs. I have a decade of military real estate experience and work with Century 21 Champion Real Estate in Jacksonville, NC-home to Camp Lejeune, New River MCAS, Camp Johnson and Camp Geiger and have great connections to every military community imaginable (and have moved over a dozen times myself). I’d love to help you bloom where you are planted!

Call me to tour this wonderful three bedroom, two bath, one car grage home with pergo floors in all common areas and a fabulous tiered back yard with lush mature landscaping and hardwood trees! Hitting this market this week at 149,900 with updated pain colors, window covering and more. This may not be a NEW home but it has a mordern floor plan and a great fenced-in yard. Located near Half-Moon off the Summersill light, turn right on Autumn and left on Winter, home is on your right near end of the cul-de-sac. Very close to Summersill Elem.

This lovely home is owned by none other than Jesse James Smith, who runs Carolina Fitness Boot Camp. Group sessions available, great rates and unmatched enthusiasm!